1. John Rule Senior Research Analyst Kansas Health Institute
Obesity and Health Risk Factors among Kansas’ Minority Populations Topeka, Kansas • September 27, 2006
John Rule
Senior Research Analyst
Kansas Health Institute

2. Introduction
In 2001, The Surgeon General of the United States issued a ‘Call to Action’ to prevent and reduce overweight and obesity
“Left unabated, overweight and obesity may soon cause as much preventable disease and death as cigarette smoking.”

3. Background/Need
Overweight and Obesity prevalence is a leading health indicator for HP2010
HK2010 goal: Identify, reduce and eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities
Data were available nationally for minority groups, but they were not available in Kansas

4. National Data

5. Project Goals
To provide precise estimates of the prevalence of obesity in Kansas
To obtain information about risk behaviors and health factors related to obesity among the Hispanic, Black and White populations
To make the results of this survey readily available for use

6. Who Is Involved? Sunflower Foundation
Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Office of Health Promotion
Kansas Health Institute

7. Who is Involved? Cont. Kansas Association of Local Health Departments
State and local service providers, program managers and policy makers who are interested in a better understanding of obesity-related issues among minority groups in Kansas

8. Results – Obesity Comparison
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

9. Results – Physical Activity Comparison
National Health Interview Study (NHIS)

10. Results – Five Fruits and Vegetables Comparison
Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS)

11. Example of Ethnic/Racial Differences
Food Purchasing Decisions
When you buy food, how important is each of the following factors?
Race / Ethnicity
Total
Hispanic
Black
White %
How safe the food is to eat
82.7
79.4
68.1
70.8
Nutrition
82.9
81.6
60.7
63.5
Price
61.6
45.6
48.4
How well the food keeps
77.3
70.3
49.3
54.1
How easy the food is to prepare
46.5
36.7
38.6
Taste
86.3
82.0

12. Expected Impact and Application of Data
Estimation of population prevalence estimates, evaluation of any changes
Identification of risk factors can lead to targeted health promotion and intervention efforts
HP2010 Goal 19-2: Reduce the proportion of adults who are obese

13. Publication of Results
Breakdown of survey questions can be found at the Health Risk Studies website of KDHE (
The report of this survey will be available at the Kansas Health Institute website (

14. Kansas Health Institute
Healthier Kansans through informed decisions